Not completely off-topic - but since the thread mentioned helping folks in need. There was an interesting story with the Philly marathon. A runner would pass a homeless shelter everyday on her workout. Eventually she stopped and spoke with some and found that there were actually a number of homeless people interested in running with her. She organized it as a team and found some sponsors to compete a team of homeless to run Philly marathon.

Now I am just a commuter - but wouldn't it be cool to expand this riding (C&V forum could sponsor some starter bikes, forum jerseys). City hall could sponsor a safe/secure place to store and lock bikes...Just a thought - latch onto this group "back on my feet", find a real rider in the forum to lead a team ride for the wachovia amateur race. Just a thought...

http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/...ss_Release.pdf

http://backonmyfeet.org/main/index.html